Who Is Responsible For an Accident in a Rental Car
Reader’s Question:
If the rental company in California, is the registered owner of a car and that car is rented out and got involved in crash, who is responsible for the damages?
carl
Fairfield, CA
Generally, when renting a vehicle from a rental company in California, the individual usually signs a form stating that the renter will be held liable for damages caused to the car. It include damages to other automobiles caused by the renter and if they were at-fault in the accident.
According to the CA Department of Insurance when renting a car, the car rental companies hold the renter liable under the rental agreement for damage to their car. It is also noted that the rental agency will offer a Damage Waiver for an additional cost.
So if a waiver is not bought, review your own car insurance policy to find out if any extension of coverage will be applied. In addition, know how the liability coverage afforded by your car insurance policy applies in case you are found at fault in an accident with the rented vehicle.
You may not need to purchase auto insurance from the rental vehicle if your own personal auto insurance coverages will cover the rental vehicle.